Corporate Concentration Affects All Aspects Of Farming

Complaints about corporate control of the development of new genetically engineered crop varieties have to be placed in perspective, says Gord Surgeoner, president of Ontario Agri-Food Technologies. “One of the most important things in agriculture is financing,” he told the Commons agriculture committee as part of a study of biotechnology development in the country. “I

Potato Harvest On The Colony

Trucks are waiting! Everybody welcome. Thank you!” The crisp message rings from the public address system, inviting colony members to a shift of picking weeds and lumps of dirt out of newly harvested potatoes travelling by conveyor into the shed. “This is a recorded announcement!” one of the young women deadpans. Grabbing gloves and a


In Brief… – for Aug. 19, 2010

Pickups rise on U. S. theft list: Hauling power has made pickups a “group to watch” in an annual U. S. insurers’ study of vehicle theft losses. Models such as the Ford F-250/350, Chevy Silverado 1500, and Dodge Ram 2500 were found to be attractive “not only because of the vehicles themselves but also because



TB Testing Blamed For Herd Health Decline

The verdant Birdtail River Valley, just south of Riding Mountain National Park, looks every bit like a rancher’s paradise. Hillsides covered with tall, straight poplar and spruce trees shelter farmhouses and outbuildings dotting the lowlands, which are separated by neatly fenced pastures filled with lush green grass. But the ranchers who have made these hills



The Jacksons – for May. 13, 2010

Andrew Jackson pulled up to the café and nosed his truck carefully into the parking spot between Grant Toews’ blue GMC and Bob White’s Ford Ranger. A gust of wind blew a spatter of raindrops under the brim of his Stetson as he opened the truck door, and Andrew hunched his shoulders as he made

Run Your Diesel Engine On Ethanol, Water And Diesel

Suggest burning a mix of ethanol and water in a diesel engine and most farmers would give you a strange look and advice on places to go. But tell them it’s supposed to boost fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and extend engine life and you’ll have their attention. Ron Preston, president and Kevin Kenney, biofuel systems


Richardson Plans Upgrades

Winnipeg grain firm Richardson International has laid out its to-do list for $20 million worth of upgrades at three sites in Saskatchewan and at its terminal at Olds, Alta. during 2010. The company said it will take on projects this year at its facilities at Yorkton and Canora in southeastern Saskatchewan and at Hamlin in

Groundbreaking Moments In Global Agriculture

Chicago | Reuters – Organized cultivation of food crops like wheat and barley began about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, what is now the Middle East. Great strides in agriculture have been made since through innovation, technology and genetics to help feed the world’s growing population. Despite this, however, more than